CSOs programme continues to reap high reward

The Community Service Officers (CSO) programme is raking in high returns on investment, thanks to an injection $4.2 billion by the government over the past four years.

According to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, 2,759 youths from Amerindian communities have been gainfully employed in the Youth Entrepreneurial and Apprenticeship Programme, commonly referred to the as the CSO programme.

Minister Sukhai made shared her observations during a press conference on Wednesday at her Quamina and Thomas Streets, Georgetown office.

She said the CSO programme has been embraced by all Amerindian communities and that youth find work in various sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and tourism.

“It’s an investment in youth. Our government continues to have very close to heart the investment in young people. We’ve seen over the years that the investment in young people has picked up in the last four going on five years and the ministry supported that hype,” Minister Sukhai said.

The government has crafted this programme to employ people aged 16 to 35, with a specific focus on youth development.

These persons are tasked to work five hours daily for four days and receive a stipend of $40,000 monthly.

Without this programme, an estimated $110,360,000 would not otherwise benefit indigenous youths every month.

In fact, from 2015 – 2020 the previous coalition government quashed the CSO programme, denying hundreds of Amerindian youths the opportunity to work and receive an income.

It was only when the PPP/C returned to government in 2020 that the CSO programme was revived.

This decision was met with cheers by Amerindians who had previously lost their jobs in 2015. Those who were employed have testified that it is a significant investment in human capital development.

A CSO of Micobie in Region Eight, Telisa Domingo, said, “It comes in good use. Especially if you’re not working anywhere, at least the CSO money can help you buy your things in your home. You get your children you can buy things for them.”

In 2024, there have been aggressive efforts by the government to fast-track Amerindian development and bring it on par with the transformation that is taking place elsewhere in the country.